Hendricks to launch SVOD service CuriosityStream

Big Picture Earth, Deep Time History and Digits are the first three original series available through CuriosityStream, an SVOD service from Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks (pictured), launching March 18.

CuriosityStream also promises that 4K titles will be available at launch, as will an 800-title library that will feature original commissions, documentary shows, and series from producers such as the BBC, NHK, ZED, Terra Noa and Flame Distribution.

The original CuriosityStream commissions include Big Picture Earth, a 20-part 4K series from filmmaker David Conover (Sunrise Earth ) that will include footage of Stonehenge, Icelandic Caves and Venetian canals; and Deep Time History, a multi-episode production that will trace people and historic events while revealing the geologic and geographic underpinnings of the events.

A third original commission, Digits, will offer a comprehensive history of computers and the Internet, as well as considering the possibilities of quantum computing, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Deep Time History and Digits will be exclusive to North American consumers on CuriosityStream.

Expert interview segments and original shortform programming will also be available to consumers, including two interview series hosted by photographer Norman Seeff and by Deepak Chopra respectively, and the shortform series A Curious World – exploring subjects such as ancient engineering feats to human sleep cycles – and Destination Pluto, providing coverage of the New Horizon mission set to pass the planet during summer 2015.

Heading the CuriosityStream programming team is Emmy winning documentary producer Steve Burns – formerly the exec VP for global content at National Geographic Channels worldwide, while ex ABC news-producer Richard Sergay serves as a senior consultant for Curiosity Project’s partnerships and acquisitions, as well as host for Curiosity Studios.

“CuriosityStream is the world’s first ad-free, SVOD service that addresses our lifelong quest to learn, explore, and understand,” said Hendricks in a statement. “For consumers, our aim is to provide the first and best on-demand video streaming destination that aggregates and curates the world’s best factual content.”

Elizabeth Hendricks North, president of Curiosity Project, added: “We believe CuriosityStream will be a deeply empowering service for the ‘incurably curious’ viewers like us across the globe.”

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About The Author

Daniele Alcinii is a news editor at realscreen, the leading international publisher of non-fiction film and television industry news and content. He joined the RS team in 2015 with experience in journalism following a stint out west with Sun Media in Edmonton's Capital Region, and with communications work in Melbourne, Australia and Toronto. You can follow him on Twitter at @danielealcinii.